John Donohoe

Published: May 18, 2020, 12:57

Last updated: May 18, 2020, 13:05

Roddy Doyle to judge children's writing competition for Lidl

Lidl Ireland has launched '#MyLidlStory', a short story competition for children aged between five and 14 years old to encourage them to exercise their writing skills while learning from home over the course of the school closures.

Entries can be made in store or online by tagging Lidl Ireland’s Twitter/Instagram and using the #MyLidlStory hashtag or by commenting with your entry on the competition announcement post on Lidl Ireland’s Facebook page. Entry forms are available in all 163 Lidl Ireland stores nationwide.

The kids competition will be judged by iconic Irish writer, Roddy Doyle, and presents children with an exciting creative writing exercise. Beginning ‘One day in Lidl…’, children aged 5-9 and 10-14 years old will have 200 words or less to delve into their imaginations and construct a stupendous short story with a chance of winning a €250 Lidl voucher, a creative writing masterclass for the winner hosted by Roddy Doyle and creative writing organisation, 'Fighting Words' and a signed copy of Roddy Doyle’s books, The Rover Adventures or Wilderness.

Speaking about the initiative, Roddy Doyle said: "I'm happy to be judging this competition and I'm really looking forward to reading the children's stories. I might even rob some of their ideas!"

Seán Love, Executive Director of Fighting Words commented: "Fighting Words provides free tutoring in creative writing for children to enable them to discover the power of their own imaginations. Right now, everyone in Ireland has a story to tell, and we are delighted to work with Lidl as they provide this opportunity for children to tell theirs.”